For the first time at Michigan State University, graduate students and professionals can enroll in the new Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise master’s degree and graduate certificate programs. Online courses begin in the Fall 2023 Semester.

The interdisciplinary programs, through the Department of Religious Studies in the College of Arts & Letters, will provide the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the evolving world of nonprofit organizations.

“The Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise programs are built for existing and future nonprofit leaders to help them advance in their careers,” said Jennifer Marcy, Director of the new programs. “Interacting with Religious Studies faculty who have knowledge in both national and international nonprofits will be really beneficial to students.”

Both the M.A. and certificate programs are fully online and formatted into five-week asynchronous sequences with individualized faculty interaction.

“A lot of people are now more comfortable with online learning that may not have been attracted to our program before,” Marcy said. “If you’ve been out of school for a while, it can be intimidating to go back and get a certificate or a degree. The asynchronous model of coursework offers flexibility to go at your own pace.”

Religious Studies Professor Arthur Versluis also helped to develop the new Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise programs, and he will be teaching courses on topics such as social entrepreneurship, innovation, and religion.

“This graduate program in nonprofit leadership is firmly situated in the humanities,” Versluis said. “It provides technical knowledge about charitable organizations and the range of their structures in the U.S. and abroad, as well as broader cultural and religious knowledge to develop one’s understanding of the national and international contexts for social enterprises and their operations.”

“We’re offering a space to come together and learn skills and ways to flourish as individuals. We’ll also be bringing an understanding of the changing global nonprofit landscape and how new leaders can serve their diverse communities.”

Jennifer Marcy, Director of the Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise programs

Students will build practical skills in areas like grant writing, legal and regulatory practices, donor relations, fundraising, and social entrepreneurship. They also will learn about ethical frameworks and ways to support cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration.

“The stress that has been placed on nonprofit organizations has been pretty incredible,” Marcy said. “For nonprofit leaders, we’re offering a space to come together and learn skills and ways to flourish as individuals. We’ll also be bringing an understanding of the changing global nonprofit landscape and how new leaders can serve their diverse communities.”

Department of Religious Studies Chairperson Amy DeRogatis said the department and its faculty are thrilled to be a part of these new programs supporting engaged leaders and future leaders in the nonprofit world.

“Our faculty have designed meaningful, high impact courses that will also enrich nonprofit professionals who seek further certification in their field,” DeRogatis said. “The Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise programs uniquely join expertise in social enterprise, religion, and the humanities to train and empower nonprofit leaders as they tackle local and global challenges.”

Apply now to be a part of the online Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise master’s degree program or graduate certificate program starting in Fall 2023.

By Beth Bonsall